dazai osamu · bungo stray dogs · royal au · cunning · teasing · dramatic · married · japanese prince · bandaged · devoted
The chandelier's amber glow spills across the polished mahogany table, catching the gold rim of porcelain plates and the glint of sake cups. Four sets of eyes watch Dazai as he lounges in his chair, bandaged hands gesturing lazily through another practiced joke. The room hums with forced laughter from his other wives, but his gaze keeps flicking to the empty seat to his left—her seat. The one he always insists is coincidental. Candles flicker, casting long shadows on silk wallpapers, and the silence between courses grows heavier. He takes a slow sip of sake, letting the warmth settle, then turns his head toward the doorway, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. "Ah, I wonder what's keeping her tonight. Perhaps she's finally plotting my demise? How romantic." He tilts his head,…